WHUFC.com
Papa Bouba Diop is ready to return to action and aid the Hammers' bid for
automatic promotion
04.04.2012
Papa Bouba Diop is ready to end two-and-a-half months of frustration by
returning to first-team action in time to boost West Ham United's hopes of
gaining automatic promotion. The influential Senegal international has left
a big gap in the heart of the Hammers midfield since he was sidelined with a
hamstring injury during the 2-1 npower Championship win over Nottingham
Forest on 21 January. Diop's absence has coincided with a run of seven home
matches without a victory and the No21 is desperate to play his part in
helping West Ham climb back into the top two. The 34-year-old was in
typically imperious form in Tuesday's Development Squad win at Queens Park
Rangers and told West Ham TV of his delight at returning to action. "I am
glad to come to work again," said Diop. "I am happy work and play with the
team. I worked hard to keep the ball and win it back and now I want to help
the club. "I am OK. I am OK. I am running, chasing the ball, passing and
moving. I played for one hour and I worked hard and I'm pleased with my
fitness. If the manager wants me to play, I am ready."
Diop admitted to being fed-up over the past ten weeks after being injured
while in rare form for Sam Allardyce's side. "It's been hard for me because
when I was injured I was in top form," said the 2002 FIFA World Cup veteran.
"If you see, when the physio came on I had my head in my hands and was
thinking 'Oh no!'. "That is why I have worked hard because I want to get
back. I protected my hamstring and I think it's OK. I will take it day by
day and keep working. I am strong mentally and this is the most important
thing."
The defensive midfielder said it is important that every West Ham player
shows similar mental toughness over the final six games of the season, with
an automatic promotion place certainly not out of the question. "I told the
players this is a very hard time for everybody - players, fans and staff -
so you cannot lose your head. You must be positive and stick together
because if you play together and do everything we need, I think we can go to
the Premier League. I believe this. "You cannot put pressure on yourself. It
is 11v11, you know. It is all in the head. If you tell yourself you can do
something, you can do it if you believe. We can do it. We can go to the
Premier League."
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Open Training Day on Tuesday
WHUFC.com
West Ham United will be hosting a special Open Training Day for fans on
Tuesday 10 April
03.04.2012
Young Hammers fans will get a chance to get up close to their heroes when
West Ham United hold a special Open Training Day for Academy members, Season
Ticket holders and corporate members at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday 10
April. The event which is free to all the above members, will get to see the
first-team squad put through their paces on the Boleyn Ground pitch by
manager Sam Allardyce and his coaching staff. The session will come the day
after the Kids for a Quid Birmingham City game as the players begin to
prepare for the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion on 14 April. There will be
full coverage on the giant screens with regular stadium PA Jeremy Nicholas
giving some running commentary and the ever-popular Hammerhead and Bubbles
mascots will be on hand to greet young supporters enjoying the Easter School
holidays. Once training is over, there will be a chance for five lucky Youth
Academy members and Junior Season Ticket holders to show their skills on the
pitch in a penalty shoot-out competition. To be in with a chance to win this
exciting prize, please send your name, address, a contact telephone number
and youth membership/junior season ticket number to
youthacademymemberships@westhamunited.co.uk . The deadline for entries is
5pm on Thursday 5 April. Fans should then stick around afterwards to see
players from the squad take part in a West Ham United Community Sports Trust
multi-sports coaching event incorporating children from local schools and
clubs.
The stadium superstore will also be open from 9am to 5pm for fans to grab
Hammers goodies and take advantage of the in-store sale on the remaining
2011/2012 Macron replica kits - with adult shirts available from just £25
and juniors £20 - and the fantastic discounts on end of range trainingwear.
Supporters will be seated in the Alpari West Stand Lower to watch all the
action on the pitch with access via Gate 3 from 10am. Parking will be on a
strictly first-come-first served basis. Stay in touch with whufc.com for any
further details on the open day as they are available.
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Olympic Stadium switch 'best move' for West Ham fans - Brady
BBC.co.uk
By Dan Roan
BBC sports news correspondent
West Ham claim that moving to the Olympic Stadium will benefit their fans
and help them become a major force in English football. Last month the
Championship club declared their renewed application to move from Upton Park
after the collapse of their original attempt following legal challenges from
Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient. The London Legacy Development
Corporation (LLDC) reopened the bidding process, and West Ham have now
applied for a 99-year lease of the Olympic stadium, which will be converted
in to a 60,000-seater venue following the Games. Vice-chairman Karren Brady
said, "This is the best move for our fans and makes attending matches more
affordable."
Many West Ham supporters oppose the proposal because of the Olympic Park
Legacy Company's insistence the running-track is retained post-Games to
provide an athletics legacy.
OLYMPIC STADIUM TIMELINE
23 March, 2012: Deadline closed for bidders to submit proposals
May: Decision on successful bid
27 July-12 August: Olympic Games take place
29 August-9 September: Paralympics take place
2014: Stadium reopens with new tenants
However, Brady claimed fan representatives who had seen detailed plans to
move in 2014 were "100 per cent" behind the idea. "All of them have agreed
with what I have presented, there hasn't been a single dissenting voice,"
she said. Brady believes moving into the Olympic stadium would bring about
significantly reduced ticket prices, despite the substantial debt the club
remains saddled with, and the financial shock of relegation last season.
"There is a chance to grow revenue and increase financial stability and is
the only way for us to move to the next level," said Brady. "It's a piece of
history. It's the only Olympic stadium in the UK and it will attract
crowds."
West Ham are one of four bidders for the Olympic Stadium with a decision on
the successful 'anchor concessionaires' expected on May 21. The club will
share the stadium with athletics during the summer, and UK Athletics has
publicly supported its bid. The Stratford venue will host the World
Athletics Championships in 2017.
After West Ham won the original contest to move to the stadium, Brady said
retractable seating would be considered, but has not confirmed whether that
remains the case due to strict confidentiality rules. The club say they will
only move to Stratford if it can be converted into a "world-class" football
arena. Marketing Director Tara Warren said: "It's an opportunity we think is
too good to miss and is the only way the club can really grow. "This is the
only way we can move to the next level. It will do that and improve our
stability. "It will improve our profile as a club on a global stage. "There
are many financial benefits associated with the move. "We have twice the
capacity for general admission, we have increased hospitality opportunities
and we would benefit from the profile of this new fantastic stadium."
Essex county cricket club and The University of East London have also tabled
a joint bid. The two other candidates are unknown. West Ham need permission
from the Football League before any move away from their 108-year home, but
are confident of receiving it, despite the continued objection of nearby
Leyton Orient.
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Have your say on the OS plans
KUMB .com
Filed: Wednesday, 4th April 2012
By: Staff Writer
Campaign group WHU's View? are holding an open meeting tonight in order for
supporters to have their say over the board's plans to move West Ham United
to the Olympic Stadium. All supporters of West Ham United FC are invited to
attend the meeting which takes place at the Supporters' Club this evening,
kicking off at 7pm.
"With a bid having been made by West Ham United for co-tenancy of the
Olympic Stadium, concerns have been expressed about the lack of consultation
with fans before such a decision was made," a spokesman for WHU's View? told
KUMB. "The outcome of that bidding process is to be decided in May, after
the season ends and with no further discussions being planned. "The Club say
that they have 'consulted', having held a meeting with the Olympic Stadium
Focus Group and receiving a report from them a matter of days before lodging
their bid. What was discussed at that meeting has remained confidential.
"WHU's View? was formed with the sole purpose of encouraging the Club to
ballot season ticket holders and Academy members before a final decision was
made to bid. We felt it was the fairest way of finding out the opinions of
as many regular attendees as possible, without distortion. "We emphasise
that we are not a protest movement and that our sole motivation has been to
see the Club undertake a proper consultative process and honour their own
'Pledge to Listen'. "Having failed to persuade the Club to conduct a ballot,
WHU's View? has decided to conduct our own. It will prove difficult, it will
be flawed and it will be criticised but it will also be the only chance the
vast majority of fans will get to have their say. "We will post a ballot
form online to all those who have registered, physically hand out forms at
the ground and arrange collection points and a PO Box. "An open meeting has
also been arranged at the Supporter's Club for Wednesday, 4th April at 7pm.
"This meeting will discuss the proposal to poll and any other matters
relevant to the Olympic Stadium that those attending wish to raise. Everyone
is welcome, regardless of their views."
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Three in, One Out!
About 8 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
News from the training ground is that Reid, Demel and Diop are fit, but on
the down side is that Noble is likely to miss the two Easter fixtures with a
leg injury. The availability of that trio is significant in my view. It will
allow Sam Allardyce to bring strength and experience in to the side. Demel
should add power and physical presence at right-back, e can reunite Reid
with Tomkins at centre back and bring the massive influence and know how of
Diop as the Midfield anchor. While, O'Neill, Lansbury and Collison will be
competing start alongside Diop in central midfield.
Arguably, Diop has ben a unsung hero this season, whenever he has played
(espcially away from home) we have had a greater coheson in midfield, where
he has sat in front of the back four, shielding it, winning the ball and
giving the forwards greater assurance to push forward on the attack. Is it
co-incidence that our results have flat lined since he has been absent
through injury? Certainly, Diop has power, strength, enormous physicality,
as well as the experience to make a difference in the run in, and I am glad
to see him available once again. Similarly Demel is another player that has
been missed I am big fan of Demel and it is a great pity that he has not
been able to contribute so far this season. His injury problems have meant
that we have not been able to call upon his experience and ability on the
right side of defence. Now would be perfect timing if the ex-Arsenal man
could come in to the team and make the type of positive impact of whivch he
is undoubtedly capable. Similarly, we were very unfortunate to lose Reid, to
a serious head injury, whilst he was on international duty for NZ, in the
fairly meaningless friendly match. Faye has been a very good replacement,
but I feel that it might be time to reintroduce the Reid-Tomkins combnation
at centre back.
After the Reading defeat, we need to shake things up in key positions and
bring some new blood in to the set up. If they are fit and in reasonable
form, which performances in the recent Developmental Squad victiory over a
strong QPR XI would seem to indicate, then serious consideration must be
given to the introduction of all three for Faubert, Faye and Noble. ONeill
has performed well in central midfield against Reading FC and is probably
favourite to line up alongside Diop in central midfield. However, Lansbury
performed very effectively in the QPR match and could be an inspired choice.
Lansbury, playing wise, has been kept on a fairly short leash and now ould
be the time for him to explode in to life at first team level. Another
player that could be promoted to the bench is Brian Montenegro-Martinez, who
scored the winner against QPR. If we need an option on the bench to give us
extra width, then it could be an option to include him. He also has the
attractive attribute of scoring goals from out wide on the left. Is he
ready? Give it a gamble, it might work in our favour to have an unknown
option on the bench. Similarly, it will be interesting to see if Ravel
Morrison can force himself in to first team contention at the business end
of the season?
I liked the forward line against Reading FC, with Vaz Te on the right,
Taylor on the left, Cole through the centre and Nolan playing in an advanced
forward position, in close support. This formation has real possibilities
and certainly should be retained for the Barnsley match. It means that
Baldock and Maynard figure from the bench, hopefully to be introduced later
in the match as the likes of Cole and Taylor tire. Our away tactics are not
broken so we do not need to fix them! Lets go there, play it tight and play
a strong counter-attacking game. Of course, Barnsley are not exactly in
great form and it may be that we can dominate the match from the off and
dominate play, if that is how it transpires so much the better.
What needs fixing is our approach at home and Allardyce will need to
re-assess his tactics and selection against Birmingham City. Many fans will
call for the introduction of a 4-4-2 against Birmingham, with either Maynard
or Baldock partnering Cole up front. I think that it will depends how the
Vaz Te, Cole and Taylor combination shapes up in the Barnsley match. With
Nolan pushed forward in support of Cole, this formation has the potential to
be a genuine 4-3-3, rather than a da facto 4-5-1. Perhaps against Birmingham
City, Vaz Te could play on the left and we could introduce Baldock on the
right hand side? There are obvious pros and cons for that, not least that it
does not offer the same width and balance as a line up that includes Taylor
on the left. The problem, as always, is that Birmingham City are likely to
come to Upton Park and play 5 in midfield. It is a brave manager who does
not match opposiion numbers in the centre of the park, but perhaps that is
exactly what is needed bravery and attacking intent. Cancelling out Brum and
playing out a draw is really of limited value to us, we must go for the win.
Key players need to start delivering. Nolan had good games against both
Peterborough Utd and Reading FC and must continue to get forward and add to
his 10 goal tally. Carlton Cole scored against Reading FC and that is a good
sign. Cole tends to score his goal in batches and a mini burst of goal
activity from him, at this crucial juncture, would be most welcome. Vaz Te
is the only forward in good goal scoring form, he needs to continue that
and, along with Taylor, offer us vital width. Taylor has had an njury
disrupted season and he has not hit top form since his return. But he gives
us balance on the left, can deliver a good ball into the box and has the
potential to score from distance. And that is what we to see in in the next
six matches, Taylor cracking home one or two with that outstanding left peg
of his. Needless to say, Baldock and Maynard also need to find their
shooting boots, when they get their chance they need deliver and start
converting the chances that come their way.
Apparently, Kevin Nolan called a dressing room meeting with the players
after the Reading FC match. We can only hope that it has helped hem sort out
their heads and their attitudes. It is at the 11th hour and if we are stand
any chance of capitalising on any slip ups by Reading or Southampton then we
must gain victories.. Draws are of uncertain value, we might as well go for
broke, not in a reckless way, but in a controlled but adventurous style. We
have little to lose and everything to gain, but can Allardyce's side do it?
We need some of the spirit of the great escape of 2006-07, we have the
players, can they perform as required? One can only hope that they can and
Allardyce encourages the type of expansive, passing football that we have
seen in the last two matches. If Demel, Diop and Reid can help us tighten up
defensively and we can sharpen up in front of goal, then it is possible. The
loss of Mark Noble is a problem, but hopefully our other midfielders will
now step up to the plate.
It is a word that I have used before this season, but we must be 'ruthless'
in the final six games. We need to play with pace, discipline and clinical
finishing. A late sprint to automatic promotion could happen and we need to
approach it as if it will. Even if results do not go our way, and we cannot
storm our way back in to the top two, we must build up some form and
momentum for the play-offs. They are wiinable, but if that is our fate, then
it is crucial that we enter them with good form, confidence goals and the
will to win!
COYI!
SJ Chandos.
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Allardyce: West Ham fans are talking b***ocks
Published 23:49 04/04/12 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Under-fire West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has launched a foul-mouthed attack on
fans who criticise his team selection. Big Sam labelled unhappy Hammers
supporters "deluded" after a recent game against Peterborough and repeated
that attack in a press conference before last week's loss to Reading. Now,
as West Ham face having to try for promotion back to the Premier League via
the play-offs, he has gone further. "Negativity around here has been very
much in the forefront recently, which has been strange for me because we
have lost one in 12," said Allardyce. "You get opinions about our results
like, "James Tomkins shouldn't be playing in midfield because he is a
centre-half.' You get that b***ocks that goes round. "What happens is I look
at the performance of every player and say to everyone who says that,
'You're talking b***ocks.' "He played in that holding role for three games
with 10 men, so that is how short memories people have. That is how much
b***ocks is talked about in football. "I don't listen to that drivel because
what bothers me is that James Tomkins plays well."
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West Ham 'May' Know Olympic Stadium Future Soon
Lbc.co.uk
Wednesday 4th April 2012
The future of the Olympic Stadium could decided by middle of May - as West
Ham's David Gold has told LBC 97.3 that's when they'll be able to "discuss
details of the bid."
The Hammers co-owner also revealed the latest bidding process "might turn
out to be better" in the long term than last year, when the Championship
club were awarded the Stadium before legal challenges from likes of Spurs
and Leyton Orient.
"You've got to move on and there's every possibility this is a better route
than the original bid. It might turn out to be better" Gold told LBC's Iain
Dale but he couldn't reveal why. "You might be aware of the process as we
speak so am limited to what I can say - I would love to open up but think
May 21st is the date we can discuss details of the bid."
The London Legacy Development Corporation, formerly the Olympic Park Legacy
Company and in charge of finding futures for all eight of the permanent
venues in the Olympic Park after 2012, has always said they hoped to
announce the Stadium tenants before the summer events. LBC understands May
was always the target but we're told any decision following the evaluation
process has to be "ratified" by the LLDC board and that maybe in "May or
June".
After vice chairman Karren Brady told LBC the West Ham fans don't
"understand" yet why the club wants to move into the Stadium, Mr Gold ruled
out a fans referendum about a move away from Upton Park claiming he could
turn the 70% of Hammers supporters in favour of a switch to Stratford to
nearly 90% if was "allowed" to show off their plans.
On the crucial question of sight lines and retractable seats in the stadium
he said "I can't discuss it but what can say if we win the right to go to
the Olympic Stadium it'll be a world class FOOTBALL stadium. Many stadiums
round the world have been failures because they were constructed solely for
the Olympics with no consideration for football. Technology has moved on so
no seat in this stadium will be further from the pitch than at Wembley."
Gold also branded Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn's claim West Ham moving
into Stratford would mean the end of the O's as a "red herring".
"We will help local community come to the stadium and young people in
particular but what Barry says is insulting just because a club moves a mile
or so closer that fans are going to desert you for another football club. I
think its an insult to them. They're Orient fans from birth."
Hearn told LBC last month he'd monitor the process carefully and hadn't
ruled out further legal action to prevent West Ham moving into the manor.
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West Ham get McCartney boost
By talkSPORT | Wednesday, April 4, 2012
West Ham defender George McCartney should be fit to face Barnsley on Good
Friday despite fears he has broken his metatarsal. McCartney picked up the
problem during the 4-2 defeat against Reading last Saturday. But after tests
this week, the Northern Ireland international has only suffered bruising to
his foot and should be fit to travel with the first-team squad for the
televised clash at Oakwell. The news will come as a major boost to manager
Sam Allardyce, who is desperate to see his side keep alive their hopes of
gaining automatic promotion this season. Allardyce said: "We thought that
George McCartney may have suffered a broken metatarsal, but that got all the
clear and it was just bruising so that is good news."
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Tony Cottee Column: Forget draws, every game is now a must-win for West Ham
London 24
Tony Cottee, London24 West Ham Columnist
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
4:45 PM
There is no getting away from it, Saturday's result at home to Reading was
very, very disappointing. After the highs of securing a win at Peterborough,
it looked like the Hammers had got their season back on track. However,
sloppy defensive errors gifted the Royals three vital points in their race
to secure automatic promotion in West Ham's biggest game of the season so
far. With Reading now four points clear of the Hammers it is somewhat out of
their hands, but Brian McDermott's side have a hard run-in and must still go
to Southampton, Brighton and Birmingham and those games will not be easy.
And yet it started so well for West Ham, who scored in the seventh minute
through Carlton Cole. However, after that we just couldn't get that second
goal that would have killed the game off. Instead, two defensive errors in
as many minutes and Reading go bouncing in at half time with a 2-1 lead that
they didn't deserve on the first 45 minutes. And then things went from bad
to worse when we lost Mark Noble to a thigh injury. Hopefully it won't be
too bad an injury as I think that Mark has been one of our best players this
season. Sam Allardyce decided to move James Tomkins into midfield and bring
on Danny Collins in defence and I think that disrupted our flow. Some would
argue that it was a negative move when we were losing 2-1 and I would agree.
James is a fantastic footballer but he is much better in defence than
midfield. The Hammers then went on to gift Reading a further two goals and I
think that that is what makes the defeat so hard to take. It wasn't as if
the Royals came to Upton Park and outplayed us, we simply gifted them the
opportunities and they punished us by taking them. The one thing that we
mustn't do is dwell on the defeat though. We have to move on and focus on
the remaining six games of the season.
Allardyce has said that he is targeting six wins out of six and that is what
we should be aiming for. However, having closely looked at each of
Southampton's and Reading's remaining games, I think that four wins and two
draws could be enough to guarantee a top-two finish. And of course, the top
two are still to play each other next Friday which will be a huge game. For
now though it is important that the Hammers win at Barnsley tomorrow
(Friday) and then follow that up with a big victory at home to Birmingham
City on Monday. Now is the time for the players to really stand up and be
counted. I was at Barnsley a couple of weeks ago and I saw them get beat at
home by Reading 4-0, so I am confident that the Hammers can go there and do
the same. Of course, as has so often been the case this season, I expect
Barnsley to come out all guns blazing against us. West Ham will just have to
weather the storm like they did at Peterborough and then take their chances
when they come along against a side that has had a poor run of form.
Monday's game will be different against a side just one place below the
Hammers. Birmingham are only six points behind us and we don't want them to
narrow that gap. If we are to be in the play-offs, we need to make sure that
we finish in third place.
Tony Cottee was talking to Nathaniel John
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